Tools for Igniting Curiosity


Book Description

"As educators, we all wish for our students to become more self-motivated and to show a greater passion for learning. But how can we turn this universal wish into classroom reality? How can we help our students develop that "yearning for learning" that spurs discovery and promotes deep understanding? By tapping into the most basic and powerful learning drive of all-curiosity. Combining the research-based insights of curiosity expert Bryan Goodwin with ready-to-use instructional tools developed by Harvey Silver and the Thoughtful Classroom team, this book will help you unleash the power of curiosity in your classroom. More specifically, it will show you how to (1) Pique students' curiosity to increase interest in new learning. (2) Sustain students' curiosity over the course of lessons and units. (3) Inspire students to express and pursue their own natural curiosity. Designed for teachers of all grade levels and content areas, the book provides everything you'll need to get your students fired up about learning"--




Building a Curious School


Book Description

Unleash the power of curiosity and the joy of learning! Curiosity is hardwired in all of us, but the longer students stay in school, the less curious they become. Why is that? Building a Curious School uncovers the many subtle ways in which formal education seems to hinder our natural curiosity and reveals how rekindling a sense of wonder in schools can prime the pump for learning, foster a culture of engagement, grow better educational leaders, and prepare students and staff to lead more fulfilling lives. Grounded in research, this engaging examination of curiosity shows educators how to intentionally cultivate inquisitiveness and wonder in teaching and learning. It includes · A plethora of activities, ideas, and tips to encourage curiosity · Compelling examples of curiosity at work in schools, businesses, and communities · Tools for supporting curiosity in ways that spark meaningful conversations and promote empathy, equity, and social-emotional learning If you′ve ever wondered anything, really—just out of curiosity—then you′ve got what it takes to lead your school to restored curiosity and your students to wellbeing and success. "This book lays out a vision as to the way schools can and should be approached to stimulate curiosity as a natural part of the teaching/learning process." --Robert J. Marzano, Cofounder and CAO, Marzano Resources, Cofounder and Strategic Advisor, Marzano Research "A powerful ‘must-read’ for all educators who want learning not only to be lively but also impactful and meaningful for every student." --Lyn Sharratt, Internship Supervisor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada




Curiosity Works


Book Description




Cultivating Curiosity


Book Description

Give your students a leg up and improve learning outcomes with this revolutionary, hands-on approach to teaching In Cultivating Curiosity: Teaching and Learning Reimagined, distinguished educator and author Doreen Gehry Nelson inspires anyone yearning to break away from formulaic teaching. Told from dozens of powerful and personal perspectives, the effectiveness and versatility of the Doreen Nelson Method of Design-Based Learning described in the book is backed by years of quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll learn how applying this cross-curricular methodology can transform your K-12 teaching practice, regardless of changes in content standards. The book includes: Discussions about how to launch creative and critical thinking in your students Explanations of the methodology’s 6 1⁄2 Steps of Backward ThinkingTM that invigorate the teaching experience and dramatically improve learning The inception of the methodology and the experiences of K-12 teachers who practice it in their classrooms. Perfect for K-12 educators seeking a methodology that consistently engages students in applying what they learn, Cultivating Curiosity is also an ideal resource for teachers-in-training, administrators, and post-secondary educators.







Teaching for Deeper Learning


Book Description

Far too often, our students attain only a superficial level of knowledge that fails to prepare them for deeper challenges in school and beyond. In Teaching for Deeper Learning, renowned educators and best-selling authors Jay McTighe and Harvey F. Silver propose a solution: teaching students to make meaning for themselves. Contending that the ability to "earn" understanding will equip students to thrive in school, at work, and in life, the authors highlight seven higher-order thinking skills that facilitate students' acquisition of information for greater retention, retrieval, and transfer. These skills, which cut across content areas and grade levels and are deeply embedded in current academic standards, separate high achievers from their low-performing peers. Drawing on their deep well of research and experience, the authors - Explore what kind of content is worth having students make meaning about. - Provide practical tools and strategies to help teachers target each of the seven thinking skills in the classroom. - Explain how teachers can incorporate the thinking skills and tools into lesson and unit design. - Show how teachers can build students' capacity to use the strategies independently. If our goal is to prepare students to meet the rigorous demands of school, college, and career, then we must foster their ability to respond to such challenges. This comprehensive, practical guide will enable teachers to engage students in the kind of learning that yields enduring understanding and valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives.




The Principal Influence


Book Description

Principals navigate the dynamic complexities and subtleties of their schools every day. They promote, facilitate, and lead efforts to achieve both tangible and intangible results throughout the school community. They fulfill a role that includes counseling, budgeting, inspiring, teaching, learning, disciplining, evaluating, celebrating, consoling, and a million other critical functions. As the principalship has evolved and grown, so have the expectations of it. With that in mind, ASCD developed the Principal Leadership Development Framework (PLDF). The PLDF establishes a clear and concise definition of leadership and includes clear targets that support the ongoing growth and development of leaders. Using the Framework, principals will learn to capitalize on their leadership roles: * Principal as Visionary * Principal as Instructional Leader * Principal as Engager * Principal as Learner and Collaborator The PLDF also offers 17 criteria of effective practice that allow leaders to focus on behaviors that have the greatest direct effect on the culture and status of learning and teaching. Coupled with the PLDF are tools for self-reflection that help principals identify and strengthen their reflective habits. Whether you want to develop your own capacities or support the development of a group of principals, assistant principals, or aspiring principals, The Principal Influence can help channel your efforts in ways that promote successful teaching and student learning.




Teaching That Changes Lives


Book Description

Since writing her international bestseller Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, Marilee Adams has increasingly been responding to speaking and consulting requests from educators. Drawing on what she has learned from these experiences she presents the ultimate guide for teachers looking to change the lives of their students while significantly improving their own lives in the process. Adams weaves a compelling story of one teacher's lasting impact on a student to demonstrate how educators can practice and pass on what she calls the Learner Mindset-consistently asking the kind of open-minded, creative, positive questions that encourage curiosity and growth. She contrasts this with the Judger mindset - negative, close-minded, and limiting - that we all too easily succumb to, particularly under pressure - and, as she shows, teachers today are under enormous pressure. Complete with a field-ready workbook that brings Adams' tools for cultivating a Learner mindset directly into the classroom, this book will help teachers become more resilient and better able to nurture a lifelong love of learning in even their most hard-to-reach students.




Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain


Book Description

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection




Too Much Glue


Book Description

This enhanced eBook features read-along narration. Although Matty's art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty's dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son's creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.